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Eligibility and Services
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Article Content
DHS child welfare offers five programs for helping youth achieve independence.
- Independent Living-Skill Building Program (ILP), which provides training and classes to prepare youth to live independently.
- ILP Discretionary Funds, which is flexible funding to assist a youth with achieving his/her goals for transition.
- Chafee Education and Training Grant Program (ETG)
- Independent Living Housing Subsidy Program and
- Chafee Housing Program
 If eligible, current and former foster youth may access funds to help with rent and other expenses when they are living on their own. Learn more about these services and youth eligibility guidelines, below.
ILP services are available to former foster youth that were discharged from care at age 16 or older with at least 180 days (six months) of foster care placement services after age 14.
Youth can be returned home, in a guardianship, or living independently and still retain eligibility for some ILP services. The ILP Housing services are the only ILP services a former foster youth will lose if discharged after age 16 and prior to age 18 (with 180 days of care).
To access services as a former foster youth, the youth will need to go to the local DHS child welfare office and request "voluntary services". The youth will then go through the intake process. If the youth is under the age of 18, the parent(s)/ legal guardian will need to sign the Voluntary Services request (form CF 304). If a young adult (age 18-20), the youth can sign for themselves. All services end at age 21-ETV may be an exception.
ILP Skill Building Eligibility (Federally Funded) A youth may qualify for ILP Skills Training (ILP-S) if you can answer "YES" to ALL of the following questions:  Is the youth: - Age 14 or older?
- Currently in foster care* (DHS or Tribal) or
- A former foster child who left child welfare substitute care placement at age 16 or older with at least 180 days (6 months) of placement services after age 14?
- Less than age 21?
- In need of ILP services to become self-sufficient and independent?
If you marked all answers as yes, the youth is eligible for ILP services up to age 21. Services: Contracted out to local non-profits, for-profits, or Tribes. - Daily Living Skills such as: money management, household maintenance, transportation, legal issues, health, community resources, housing options, personal hygiene, employment readiness
- Educational Assistance such as: tutoring, homework/study groups, college tours, financial aid/scholarship applications
*Foster care is defined as placement in foster family homes, relative care, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and pre-adoptive homes.
ILP Discretionary Funds Eligibility (Federally Funded) Is the Youth: - Eligible for ILP skill building services and
- Has an open ILP Life Skills service (can be opened as non-paid if branch is providing services)
Services: Provided directly by DHS caseworkers - Small amount of discretionary funds to assist a youth to obtain items or services needed to meet his or her goals for transition.
Form: Youth Transition
Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG) Eligibility (Federally Funded)  Chafee Education and Training Grant checklist: - Age 14 or older?
- Currently in foster care* (DHS or Tribal) or
- A former foster child who left child welfare substitute care placement at age 16 or older with at least 180 days (6 months) of placement services after age 14?
- Less than age 21?
*Note: Youth receiving ETG services at age 21, can continue to receive services until his or her 23rd birthday.* Services: Provided by DHS in collaboration with the Oregon Student Access Commission.
- Youth may receive up to $3,000 per academic year. Amount is based on need. Youth must be accepted/enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program in order to receive funds.
Application: OSAC Chafee ETG Application *Note: Youth may not access both the ETV funds and Chafee Housing funds at the same time. However, if Room & Board is not included in a school's cost of attendance, then the youth may be able to simultaneously access both programs. * Foster care is defined as placement in foster family homes, relative care, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and pre-adoptive homes.
Independent Living Housing Subsidy Program Eligibility (State General Funds, some federal/other)  Independent Living Housing Subsidy Program Eligibility checklist: Is the Youth: - Age 16 or older?
- Currently in foster care (DHS or Tribal)?
- In the legal care and custody of DHS (formerly SCF)?
- A youth who has had at least one prior substitute care placement before going on Subsidy?
- In a program of education and/or employment full-time (40 hours of activity per week)? I.e.: work, education or combination of the two*
- A youth who has the approval of the court to participate?
- A high school graduate or actively working to complete high school or a GED?
- Currently enrolled in ILP skill building services?
- A youth who does not live with his/her biological or legal parent(s)?
If all answers are marked yes, the youth may be eligible to receive Independent Living Housing Subsidy services. The youth must go before a screening committee to determine the youth's readiness/appropriateness. If appropriate, the CF75, CF76, CF77 forms must be completed. The youth may receive his/her first Subsidy payment in as little as 10 working days from the time of screening. * 40 hours of activity: A youth must have at least 25 hours of productive time consisting of education, employment, or a combination of the two. The remaining 15 hours must also be productive and may include volunteer activities, medical or counseling appointments, school activities (sports, clubs, etc.), or additional study hours for youth with special needs. For the remaining 15 hours, the caseworker may determine if a youth's activities qualify as productive time. Services: Provided directly by DHS - Youth may receive up to $600 per month (based on monthly need) to live independently for a maximum of one year.
Housing Options Guide Document-Procedure Manual Note: Non-DHS youth are not eligible for the Independent Living Housing Subsidy Program. Youth must be in the care and custody of DHS. * Foster care is defined as placement in foster family homes, relative care, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and pre-adoptive homes.
Chafee Housing Eligibility (Federally Funded)  Chafee Housing checklist: - Is the youth 18 or older but not yet 21?
- A former foster child who left child welfare substitute care placement at age 18 or older with at least 180 days (6 months) of placement services after age 14?
- Is the youth discharged from care (DHS or Tribal) after turning age 18?
- In a program of education and/or employment full-time (40 hours of activity per week- must have at least 4 hours of paid employment) i.e.: work, education or combination of the two*?
- Is the youth a high school graduate or actively working to complete high school or a GED?
- Currently enrolled in ILP skill building services?
- The youth does not live with his/her biological or legal parent(s)?
If all answers are marked yes, the youth may be eligible to receive Chafee Housing. The youth must go before a screening committee to determine the youth's readiness/appropriateness. If appropriate, the CF75, CF76, CF77 forms must be completed. The youth may receive his/her first Chafee payment in as little as 10 working days from the time of screening. *40 hours of activity: A youth must have at least 25 hours of productive time consisting of education, employment, or a combination of the two (a minimum of 4 hours must be paid employment). The remaining 15 hours must also be productive and may include volunteer activities, medical or counseling appointments, school activities (sports, clubs, etc.), or additional study hours for youth with special needs. For the remaining 15 hours, the caseworker may determine if a youth's activities qualify as productive time. Services: Provided directly by DHS - Youth may receive up to $600 per month (based on monthly need) to live independently for a maximum of $6,000, or age 21, whichever comes first.
- Please advise youth that Chafee Housing services vary from state to state. They should make certain to check with a state prior to moving.
Housing Options Guide Document-Procedure Manual Note: Youth may not access both the ETV funds and Chafee Housing funds at the same time. However, if Room & Board is not included in a school's cost of attendance, then the youth may be able to simultaneously access both programs. * Foster care is defined as placement in foster family homes, relative care, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, child care institutions, and pre-adoptive homes.
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